The Moore family of Kansas is grieving the tragic loss of 14-year-old Caleb Moore, who died by suicide after being
targeted in an online sextortion scam. What began as a chat with someone posing as a teen girl on TikTok quickly escalated
on Snapchat, where Caleb was pressured to send intimate images. The impersonator then threatened to leak them unless he paid money.
Caleb’s mother, Morgan Moore, said the entire ordeal unfolded in just 35 minutes. Overwhelmed and terrified, Caleb sent his parents
a final message: “It’s going to be okay.” Minutes later, his father found him in critical condition. Despite efforts to save him,
Caleb passed away at home. Authorities confirmed the scam began on TikTok, intensified on Snapchat, and is now under FBI investigation.
While both platforms highlighted their safety tools, Caleb’s mother stressed that technology isn’t enough.
She urges parents to talk openly with their kids about online dangers and encourages teens to seek help
if they feel pressured. “These scammers make kids believe their world is over,” she said, “but it’s not.”
Loved ones remembered Caleb as kind, gentle, and full of light. His story is a painful reminder of how quickly online threats can destroy young lives.
